Korea expands China routes, gives more flight rights to LCCs

The transport ministry allocated rights for 25 international routes to 10 airlines on Wednesday, opening more opportunities for low-cost carriers on Korea-China flights. The changes add services from Incheon to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Dalian. The expansion follows a recent bilateral agreement to widen flight rights for the first time in seven years and comes as the government seeks more airline competition before Korean Air's planned acquisition of Asiana Airlines in December.

Incheon-Beijing flight entitlements rose from 38 to 52 flights per week, and Incheon-Shanghai rose from 56 to 63 per week.

Weekly entitlements also increased to 28 flights each for Guangzhou and Dalian, and to 14 flights each for Nanjing, Changsha and Hangzhou.

Among the low-cost carriers receiving China flight rights were Parata Air Co., Jeju Air Co., Jin Air Co., Eastar Jet Co. and Air Premia Co.

Published Sep 16, 2026 8:54 am KST

The Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, is crowded with passengers, July 16, during a holiday season. Yonhap

The transport ministry said Wednesday it has allocated rights for 25 international routes to 10 airlines, opening more lucrative opportunities for low-cost carriers on flights linking Korea and China.

The allocation includes additional services connecting Incheon, Korea's main international gateway, with major Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Dalian, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Flight entitlements on the Incheon-Beijing route increased from 38 to 52 flights per week, while those on the Incheon-Shanghai route rose from 56 to 63 per week.

Weekly flight entitlements also increased from 21 to 28 flights each for Guangzhou and Dalian, from 11 to 14 flights for Nanjing, and from 10 to 14 flights each for Changsha and Hangzhou.

Among the low-cost carriers receiving flight rights to China were Parata Air Co., Jeju Air Co., Jin Air Co., Eastar Jet Co. and Air Premia Co.

The allocation follows a recent agreement between South Korea and China to expand bilateral flight rights for the first time in seven years. It also comes as the government seeks to promote competition in the airline industry ahead of Korean Air Co.'s planned acquisition of smaller rival Asiana Airlines Inc. in December.

The airlines will need to secure slots at the respective Chinese airports before launching the additional services, which are expected to begin in the 2027 summer season.

韩国交通运输部周三将25条国际航线的运营权分配给了10家航空公司，为韩中航线的低成本航空公司创造了更多机会。此次调整新增了从仁川飞往北京、上海、广州和大连等中国主要城市的航线。此前，韩中两国刚刚达成一项双边协议，七年来首次扩大了航线运营权。此次调整正值韩国政府寻求在12月大韩航空收购韩亚航空之前引入更多航空业竞争之际。

仁川至北京的航班配额从每周 38 班增加到 52 班，仁川至上海的航班配额从每周 56 班增加到 63 班。

每周航班数量也分别增加到广州和大连各 28 个航班，南京、长沙和杭州各 14 个航班。

获得中国航线运营权的低成本航空公司包括：Parata Air Co.、济州航空 Co.、真航空 Co.、易斯达航空 Co. 和 Air Premia Co.。

发布于2026年9月16日上午8:54（韩国标准时间）

7月16日，正值假日季，首尔以西的仁川国际机场挤满了旅客。（韩联社）

韩国交通部周三表示，已将 25 条国际航线的运营权分配给 10 家航空公司，为连接韩国和中国的低成本航空公司开辟了更多有利可图的机会。

据韩国国土交通部称，此次拨款包括连接韩国主要国际门户仁川与中国主要城市（如北京、上海、广州和大连）的额外服务。

仁川至北京航线的航班配额从每周 38 班增加到 52 班，而仁川至上海航线的航班配额从每周 56 班增加到 63 班。

广州和大连的每周航班配额也从 21 班增加到 28 班，南京从 11 班增加到 14 班，长沙和杭州从 10 班增加到 14 班。

获得飞往中国航线的低成本航空公司包括：Parata Air Co.、济州航空 Co.、真航空 Co.、易斯达航空 Co. 和 Air Premia Co.。

此次配额分配是在韩国和中国近期达成协议，七年来首次扩大双边航权之后进行的。此外，韩国政府也希望在12月大韩航空计划收购规模较小的竞争对手韩亚航空之前，促进航空业的竞争。

航空公司需要在开通这些新增航线之前，先在中国相关机场获得起降时刻，预计这些航线将于 2027 年夏季开始运营。